Once-failing pub now named UK's best boozer after incredible transformation
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A miraculous transformation brought a failing pub back from the brink, crowning it the UK's Pub of the Year. The Bailey Head in Oswestry, Shropshire, once teetering on failure under a major pub company, has been rejuvenated into a beloved community hotspot by Duncan Borrowman and Grace Goodlad.
The stunning revolution has not gone unnoticed — the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) handed them the prestigious national accolade, highlighting the pub's incredible journey from dire straits to stardom. It all started nine years ago when the couple stepped in to save the day. The pub, protected from redevelopment after CAMRA listed it as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), turned its fortunes around, thanks to the devotion of Borrowman and Goodlad.
They're now not strangers to praise – recognition has poured in from CAMRA, the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA), The Shropshire GOAT, even TripAdvisor. Innkeeper Borrowman celebrates their "incredible team of welcoming and knowledgeable staff" and the staunch support of regulars that keep the atmosphere buzzing. Fun-filled with charity events and live music, the Bailey Head is the definition of community spirit.
Bubbling with enthusiasm, Borrowman declared, "We thrive on being the heart of the community—a place where people gather to celebrate or commiserate". "Everyone is welcome here, whether they’re enjoying a drink alone or chatting with others". Landlady Grace Goodlad was brimming with joy over their accomplishment, stating: "We are thrilled and hope we can live up to the award. When we bought the pub nine years ago, it was failing. We’ve taken things one step at a time—through COVID and beyond—turning it into what it is today.".
